Hunger-striking war crimes defendant agrees to medical examination

[JURIST] Serb nationalist war crimes suspect Vojislav Seselj [BBC profile; ICTY case backgrounder], who has been on hunger strike [JURIST report] for since Nov. 11, agreed Friday to medical examination by an "independent" team of doctors composed of a Serb, a French and a Russian national. Seselj had previously refused medical attention [JURIST report] by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) [official website] and said he didn't want ICTY staff to force feed him, provide medical treatment or resuscitate him should it become necessary. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica released a letter [text] Friday expressing the Serbian government's deep concern that "Seselj's basic rights [to choose defence counsel and to life] may be endangered and breached" and placing "all responsibility... in the hands of the Tribunal."

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